Memorials to Fallen K-9s
2003 page 17 The F.A.S.T. Co. donates sets of cards to all partners I need your help to inform me of such losses. |
Dept. addresses available for those who want to send condolences to officers. See below
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K-9 BARRY April 19, 2003 
Partner: Officer Bill Pyles Kodiak Police Dept. AK 217 Mill Bay Rd, Kodiak, Alaska 99615 907.486.8000 • Fax 907.486.8023
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Pyles remembered an early bust with Barry. "They called Barry and I in there to search this apartment. Immediately I knew (the dog) was on odor by what he was doing." Barry started to scratch the wall with his head, pointing at a potted plant ranging from the ceiling. Buried in the pot, police found cocaine and marijuana. One of Barry's biggest busts included a couple of pounds of marijuana, six ounces of cocaine and a couple of ounces of meth amphetamine. Barry turned out to be a public relations tool for KPD as well, putting on demonstrations for kids or organizations. "We did a lot of demonstrations for the elementary's, showing the kids what Barry does and how he does it," Pyles says. "We spent a lot of time doing a ot of demonstrations when we weren't on the road working. "That was one thing Barry really enjoyed. He loved being around people. He as really a people dog. I could take him into any of the schools and you'd have 20 or 30 kids in there and it wouldn't faze him. I had kids pulling on him, leaning on him, poking him. He just loved kids. He never got aggressive." Though the dog was trained to be aggressive when needed, most times the gnarl and bared teeth aren't necessary. Pyles says police dog handlers everywhere agree that sometimes just having a dog on scene makes the situation calmer. "I know there were a few times where we went to a bar fight and the (car) window would be open," with Barry's head sticking out, Pyles says. "You would hear guys make comments like, 'Watch it, there's a cop dog there.' And guys would say to me, 'You're not going to let your dog out on me, are you?' During his drug busting days, Barry carried out 180 narcotics searches. He found drugs 42 times and found drug paraphernalia numerous other times. After five years in the drug unit, Pyles asked that the partners move to patrol so he could spend more time with his family. The department approved, with the agreement that the team would always be on call for any searches that came up. On April 19, the duo's patrol shift went smoothly. Pyles even took Barry out for exercise, which he usually did about twice per shift. "I had him at one of the parks and was throwing sticks," Pyles said. "He was going full speed ahead." Then the two went home. But Barry couldn't get out of the car, Pyles said. "When I opened up the door, I knew immediately something was wrong. He stood up and his front legs started shaking. Then he fell back." Pyles checked Barry's heart rate and could tell the dog's breathing was labored. He shut the door, ran into his house and called the vet. "The vet told me to bring him in right away." An hour later, Barry was dead. "When the vet told me he was gone, I didn't want to believe it. He just went so fast." The vet "was going to have to open him up to find out what had happened, "Pyles said. "I didn't want to see that. So I went home. My wife and I just sat there." Half an hour later, the vet called. Barry died when a tumor in his spleen exploded. A liter of blood had spilled into his body, and Barry died from internal bleeding. Pyles didn't see it coming. That's what frustrates him the most. "Right after it happened, there were so many times I would look back and not see him there (in the back seat), and it would scare me because he was always there," Pyles said. "Maybe I just haven't accepted it yet or it's taking me a long time. Seven years constantly seeing him there and seeing him with his head sticking out the window."
notified by Jim Cortina, Dir. CPWDA |
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K-9 TOI #14 May 30, 2003 
Partner: Michael Walker Irvington Police Department NJ 1 Civic Square, Irvington, NJ 07111 Main Number 973-399-6600
A POLICE DOG'S PRAYER Oh almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, watch over my handler while I sleep. Protect my handler from harm while I am unable to do so. I pray, help keep our streets and homes safe while my handler and I rest. I ask for your loving care because my handler's duty is dangerous. Grant my handler your unending strength and courage in our daily assignments. Dear God, protect my brave handler, grant your almighty protection, unite my handler safely with the family after the tour of duty has ended. I ask nothing for myself. Amen
My new partner name is Diamond, my girls named her . |
K-9 Toi was not just a friend he was a great partner. He was better than having a human one. Once training was completed we both hit the streets of Irvington, where head had (87), k-9 apprehensions out of 11 1/2 years in service. There has been times where I shouldn't have made it home but thanks to my partner Toi and GOD we both came home safe. Every time when I got dressed for work Toi would start running from room to room before I say to him, 'Are you ready to go to work,' and he would then run pass you and just about knock you down to get out the door. At this time I would place his collar around his neck and open the front door so we could go to work. I remember when responding to jobs and I activate the lights and siren, Toi would stand in the middle of the car and start howling until the sirens were turned off. He knew his car #, and once we were dispatched he would bark as if he knew what was being said. Toi knew the difference when he was at work and not. When home Toi stayed under my wife (Gail), more then he did me. She would have to step over him while she was cooking. He would look up at her as if to say, 'am I in your way." She would tell him to move and he would go to the middle of the kitchen. He was excellent with our kids. When our son was little he use's to grab Toi's tail and slide while Toi walked. Our twin girls would try to dress him up by putting sunglasses and hats on him and he would just stand there and let them do what ever. About a year ago Toi began having problems with his hips which the vet gave him medication to help with the pain. Once on the medication he was able to still do his work. But towards the last five months Toi began to get worst. Toi loved doing his job and pleasing me, and I loved him. After a while the medication seemed like it was not helping him any more. So I began to give him Buffrin to help the pain. On May 27, 2003, Toi could not make it up the stairs and I looked at him and I knew that it was getting near for my friend. Toi began to struggle very bad to stand to his feet I then knew that he was ready to go home. This feeling was the worst I ever felt. He then placed his head on the ground and I walked away because I could not see my friend my partner in that condition. Before laying him to rest on May 30, 2003, to remember my partner I got the Police car that he last road in and took some pictures of him laying next to it so that we could remember our friend as the 'Big Dawg' that he was. Once he was laid to rest he would be cremated and his ashes would be brought back home. I thank GOD for the partner/friend that he blessed me with for so long. Now he's continuing his job with GOD where we will meet again someday. Farewell my friend, we love you. Your partner, your friend. K-9 Off. M. Walker, IPD notified
with the help of John Gillespie
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